Sketch by Helen Kita - 1998

The following information has been compiled in order to assist couples who are planning to have their wedding at Saint Paul Cathedral Parish. You may scroll down through the pages below, print them for your reference, or click on the links below to quickly jump to the section of interest.

The symbol "§" at the end of each section will return you to the top of this page. Click here to print this page.

The "Contact us" link provides information for phoning or emailing the parish Wedding Coordinator, Music Director, or other personnel. The "Maps & Directions" link provides directions to the Cathedral.

• Introduction - Theology of Marriage
• General Requirements
• Stipends
• The Wedding Rehearsal
• The Wedding Day
• Policies and Procedures
• Planning the Wedding Liturgy
• Guidelines for the Reception of Holy Communion
• Additional Information

Introduction - Theology of Marriage

In all civilizations people have sensed a mysterious sacredness about the union of man and woman. There has always been a vague realization that the deep longing for oneness with "the other" is life-giving -- and that it is a longing for oneness with the source of all life. This is why religious rituals and codes of behavior have always been connected with marriage. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1601-1642)

Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Matrimony, thereby giving marriage a new dimension to the Christian vocation that begins in baptism.

In matrimony a husband and wife are called to love each other in a very practical way: by serving each other's most personal needs; by working seriously at communicating their personal thoughts and feelings to each other so their oneness is always alive and growing. This love is explicitly, beautifully sexual. As Vatican II points out, "Married love is uniquely expressed and perfected by the exercise of the acts proper to marriage." (Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modem World, §49) (CCC 1643-1654)

In matrimony a couple is also called to live their sacrament for others. By their obvious closeness, a couple affects the lives of others with "something special" -- the love of Christ in our midst. They reveal Christ's love and make it contagious to their children and to all who come into contact with them. A major purpose and natural outcome of matrimony is the begetting of new life – children. A couple's love also gives life -- the life of Christ's Spirit -- to other people. (CCC 2366-2367)

A couple does not live a life of love because they happen to be compatible. They do it consciously and deliberately because it is their vocation and because matrimony is called "a great mystery...applying it to Christ and the church..." (Ephesians 5:32

Matrimony is much more than a private arrangement between two people. It is a sacramental vocation in and for the Church. It is a medium through which Christ reveals and deepens the mystery of his oneness with us, his Body. Thus, husbands and wives live a truly sacramental life when they follow the advice given in Ephesians 5:21: "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

In the Catholic Church, a couple's sacramental union is exclusive (one man with one woman) and indissoluble (till death do us part.) These are concrete ways in which the mysterious oneness between husband and wife, Christ and Church, becomes reality. (CCC 2360-2379)

The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other. Similarly, one of the best things a couple can do for the Church and for the world is to love each other and to strive for greater closeness. (CCC 2201-2231)

~A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication, The Essential Catholic Handbook, A Summary of Beliefs, Practices and Prayers, Liguori Publications; Cross-Referenced to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Preparing for your wedding day is an exciting and wonderful time in the life of a man and a woman in love. The Church shares your excitement and looks forward to helping you. Our faith teaches that it is an even more profound joy to prepare for your married life by entering into the Sacrament of Marriage. Our theological perspective tells us that the Sacrament of Matrimony is a living reflection of God's love, and that you, the bride and groom, "mirror" that reflection of love to each other, as well as to all God's people as you live this sacred union for the rest of your lives. Couples preparing for this vocation need a clear vision of this Sacrament. That is why the Church is happy to cooperate with you in the celebration of your wedding day, which is the beginning of the rest of your lives as a couple married in Christ.

St. Paul Cathedral Parish is particularly happy that you will be celebrating your wedding here. St. Paul's is both a local parish community of faith, as well as the "Mother Church" of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. In both capacities, it is a church where many weddings are celebrated every year. Those who are free to be married and are registered members of St. Paul Cathedral Parish, have an automatic right to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage here. Catholics from any other part of the Diocese also are welcome to celebrate this Sacrament in their "Mother Church."    §

TO BE MARRIED AT ST. PAUL CATHEDRAL, THE POLICIES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH,
THE DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH AND ST. PAUL CATHEDRAL MUST BE FOLLOWED.

General Requirements

• At least one party (bride or groom) must be a practicing Catholic.
  
  
• Both bride and groom must be canonically free to marry.
  
  
• Only a Catholic ceremony can be performed.
  
  
• Scheduling must occur at least six months prior to the proposed wedding date to allow for the preparation and assessment of the engaged couple to be completed.
  
  
• Inquiries as to dates and times for weddings at St. Paul Cathedral are to be made through the Cathedral's Wedding Coordinator, (412.621.4951 ext. 14) at which time preliminary questions will be asked to determine your freedom to marry. Requests for wedding dates are handled in the order that they are received, on a first-come first-served basis.
  
  
• Couples will need to ask a priest or deacon to be their celebrant. He will inform you when to meet him for the initial interview. Parishioners of the Cathedral have the right to the use of the services of parish clergy for their wedding or they may ask an outside member of the clergy. Non-parishioners must arrange for their own Catholic clergy who will be able to take care of all aspects of marriage preparation and the celebration of the marriage.
  
  
• During the six-month preparation period, couples will meet with their priest/deacon to prepare their pre-nuptial file---which includes: Diocesan Assessment forms, baptismal certificates, and any other particular documents that pertain to the situation of the couple. If needed, the priest will then submit this file in a timely manner to the appropriate chancery office for any required permissions or dispensations. Included in this file would be a letter of delegation granted by the Cathedral pastor for any visiting priest coming to the Cathedral for a celebration. (See the INQUIRY FORM for this delegation request.)
  
  
1. Catholics must submit to the individual preparing their pre-nuptial file, their baptismal certificates which have been recently issued by the church of baptism, dated within six months of the wedding date, signed by the parish priest, having a church seal embossed on it. For all other Christians, a baptismal certificate of whatever age will suffice, which will be returned to you after appropriate information is copied and recorded.
   
   
2. Confirmation of your wedding date and time will occur only AFTER the couple has met with the priest or deacon who will conduct the required assessment and confirm the freedom of the couple to enter marriage in the Catholic Church. Questions dealing with prior marriages, sacred vows, age, maturity, intentions and knowledge of the sacrament will be discussed. Once a determination has been made that nothing made known to the priest or deacon would prevent the marriage from taking place within the Catholic Church, then the date becomes officially confirmed and you may proceed with other wedding plans.
   
   
• In situations where clergy other than those from the Cathedral are interviewing the couple, the reception of the INQUIRY FORM, (signed by the priest or deacon who is going to officiate), will notify the Cathedral Pastor that the proposed wedding may proceed. This form attests to your canonical freedom to marry. It also assures the Pastor of St. Paul Cathedral that the one officiating will be responsible for: (1) making certain all the required Diocesan papers are completed, (2) obtaining needed permissions or dispensations, (3) procuring necessary delegation, (4) overseeing that the marriage preparation classes are attended and (5) conducting the rehearsal and celebrating the wedding.
  
  
Occasionally, perhaps due to geographical circumstances, the individual conducting the interview with the couple will not be the same individual to witness the vows at the ceremony. It is ultimately the responsibility of the celebrant to make sure that the canonical interview is being conducted in a timely manner, and all prescriptions of the law are being fulfilled.


• Couples will need to attend Diocesan-approved pre-Cana classes. To attend a class in Pittsburgh, search www.diopitt.org or www.pittsburghengagedencounter.org for various dates, or check to see if your local parish conducts a marriage-prep course. St. Paul Cathedral does not sponsor these classes.
  
  
• For Non-Parishioners: A signed PASTOR PERMISSION FORM from the pastor of each Catholic to be married must be given to the priest/deacon who is preparing you for your wedding. He will include it in the pre-nuptial file.
  
  
• The couple agrees to a service stipend as outlined in the STIPEND section of this document.
  
  

PLEASE NOTE: Your wedding date will be officially confirmed after your first meeting with a Cathedral priest OR our reception of the INQUIRY FORM.    §

For the sake of clarity and equity, the following policy has been established. Please note the distinction within the policy between active registered members of St. Paul Cathedral Parish and Catholics who are non-parishioners.

For the sake of definition, an "active registered member of St. Paul Cathedral Parish" is understood to be a practicing Catholic who has been a registered, involved and contributing member of the Parish for at least one year prior to the reservation of a date for a wedding.

A "non-parishioner" is understood to be a Catholic who is not a registered, contributing member of St. Paul Cathedral Parish for the required time period, but is a practicing Catholic and a registered member of a Catholic parish outside the boundaries of the Cathedral Parish.

For active registered members of St. Paul Cathedral Parish:

For active registered members of the Cathedral Parish, an offering of $650 is asked to cover any related expenses for the use of the Cathedral for your wedding celebration. This includes an offering for the use of the Cathedral, Cathedral security and the basic services* of the organist. A non-refundable deposit of $325 must be received with your application form, with the balance of $325 due no later than three months before the scheduled wedding.

For non-parishioners:

The couple agrees to a service stipend of $900 which includes an offering for the use of the Cathedral, Cathedral security and the basic services* of the organist. A non-refundable deposit of $450 must be received with your application form, with the balance of $450 due no later than three months before the scheduled wedding.

*Basic services include the initial meeting with the organist to go over the selections for the celebration and your assurance that an organist will be present for your wedding. Please note: other music-related fees such as cantors/soloists and instrumentalists must be negotiated with the Cathedral Music Director. (see: Music for the Rite of Marriage)

For both registered members and non-parishioners:

A gratuity of $25 for the altar server is customary. This and any other gratuities may be given to the wedding coordinator for distribution.    §

Rehearsals are generally scheduled the evening before the wedding. Since multiple weddings occur on a given day, a schedule has been established to give the couples a degree of expectation in regard to the time of their rehearsal. A period of 45 minutes will be reserved for this purpose. It is most important that all arrive on time.

The 2:00 p.m. Saturday Wedding: Rehearsal begins at 4:30 p.m. the evening before.

The 4:00 p.m. Saturday Wedding: Rehearsal begins at 5:30 p.m. the evening before.

A REHEARSAL MUST BE CONFIRMED
WITH THE WEDDING COORDINATOR.

If your rehearsal has already been confirmed for another date or time, please indicate so on your Wedding Application. If you need to change this time, please call the Cathedral's Wedding Coordinator. You will need to make sure the time is agreeable with the priest/deacon who is to officiate.

The priest or deacon who is to officiate at the wedding is expected to be present to conduct the rehearsal. The Wedding Coordinator from St. Paul's will be present for the rehearsal and will assist in conducting the rehearsal as the priest/deacon wishes.

Please bring with you to the rehearsal your PA State Marriage License, your prayer selection sheet, and any wedding booklets you plan to distribute. If you are having a Unity Candle ceremony, you may bring those items as well.

The wedding rehearsal is not the rehearsal for musicians. Any necessary music rehearsals should take place at a separate time arranged through the music office (generally, just prior to the actual wedding.)    §

Weddings celebrated at St. Paul Cathedral are held on:

Saturday at 2 pm. and 4 pm.

No other Saturday starting times are permitted because of other regularly scheduled liturgies.

By Diocesan law, no weddings are permitted on Sundays or Holy Days of Obligation or other special days of the Liturgical Year, e.g. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday. St. Paul Cathedral observes the Lenten season as well, refraining from scheduling weddings during this penitential time.

Because the Cathedral's schedule is very full, every couple must be aware that there are time limitations. The groomsmen and ushers can generally plan on arriving at the Cathedral about 45 minutes before the actual scheduled wedding time. The bride and her attendants should plan to arrive at the Cathedral ½ hour prior to the actual scheduled wedding time. It is very important that the wedding begin on time.

Due to time constraints and other scheduled events, receiving lines are never permitted following a wedding. Permission may be granted by the Wedding Coordinator on a case-by-case basis for posed photographs before the sanctuary, if this is desired by the couple. A decision is made based on sufficient time and everyone's being respectful of the sacred space that they are in. Photographs may be taken outdoors on the Cathedral grounds provided that the parking lot is left accessible to the individuals needing to park for the next scheduled event. Those gathered for the 2:00 wedding will need to be on their way by 3:15 p.m. so that the 4:00 wedding party can begin their preparations. Those gathered for the 4:00 wedding will need to be on their way by 5:15 p.m. so that the Cathedral can prepare for the 6:00 evening liturgy.    §

• Due to liability concerns and safety issues, the use of a crash/runner and any aisle candelabras are not permitted at the Cathedral. In light of the clean-up efforts and time constraints, the throwing of rice, birdseed, flower petals, or anything else of that nature as well as the release of balloons, butterflies, doves etc. IS NOT PERMITTED.
  
  
• We respectfully ask you to keep the sacred space clean and neat. All pew decorations, used programs, and flower boxes or debris must be promptly removed after the ceremony. Please ask those who helped you to decorate for your wedding to be responsible for this and to do it upon the completion of the ceremony.
  
  
• With a sense of sincere gratitude, all flowers brought to the sanctuary for the wedding celebration must remain at the Cathedral for the enhancement of our worship site during the course of the following week. These flowers are considered an offering to the Lord.
  
  
• The Cathedral staff will designate an altar server for the wedding who is familiar with the layout of the sanctuary and sacristy as well as with our wedding liturgy guidelines. However, friends or family of the bride and groom may also assist in serving the Mass, along with the Cathedral server, provided the priest/deacon officiating is made aware of their involvement prior to the rehearsal.    §
  
  

The marriage ritual provides a wide variety of options and choices for the wedding liturgy, including Scripture readings, the exchange of consent, blessings, Prayers of the Faithful, etc. These options should be discussed beforehand with the priest or deacon who is to officiate. He will most likely give you a Together for Life booklet written by Joseph M. Champlin to assist you with your selections. Complete the prayer selection sheet from the back of this booklet and bring it with you to the rehearsal.

The use of readings which are not taken from Scripture or the use of so-called "original vows" composed by the couple is not permitted by Church law. Downloading Scripture from the Internet is not recommended, since often it brings up translations that are not officially approved for liturgical use.

Readers may be chosen from family and friends to proclaim the first two scriptural passages and to assist with the Prayer of the Faithful. In choosing these individuals, one should be mindful of the acoustics of St. Paul Cathedral and select someone with a strong, clear voice with good enunciation. This person should be familiar with Catholic liturgy and believe the words he or she is proclaiming are the words of God. Anyone you select to serve in this capacity must be in appropriate, modest attire or he or she will be required to robe in a Cathedral alb and remain within the sanctuary during the wedding.

Although the use of a Unity Candle is not an official part of the Marriage Rite, one may be used. (Some couples choose to have the unity candle ceremony at their wedding reception.) If one is to be used, the couple shall be responsible for providing these three candles, and they should be brought to the Cathedral at the time of the rehearsal. (Please note: If the couple wishes to keep their unity candle after the ceremony, they should designate someone to retrieve it before leaving the Cathedral. We are not responsible for items left behind.)

If your wedding is to be in the context of a Mass, it is the directive of the Catholic Church that only Catholics in good standing and who are properly prepared (i.e. not in a state of serious sin) may approach the table of the Lord. Those who wish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance) are urged to go to confession prior to the day of the wedding.

The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops has issued guidelines for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, in regard to the reception of the Eucharist. Out of reverence for the Eucharist and to make your guests more comfortable by avoiding any confusion, it is strongly encouraged, if a couple is planning a wedding program, that they include the following "Guidelines for Reception of Holy Communion" in their wedding program.    §

FOR CATHOLICS: As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession, except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (Code of Canon Law, canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

FOR OUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS: We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (John 17:21). Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3.)

FOR THOSE NOT RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION: All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

FOR NON-CHRISTIANS: We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

Copyright © 1996 United States Catholic Conference. All rights reserved.    §

I. Dressing procedures:

For the sake of privacy, space and time, it is highly recommended that the bride and her immediate attendants arrive already fully dressed in MODEST ATTIRE for the wedding. St. Joan of Arc Chapel, located to the right of the Cathedral vestibule, is an area where the bride and her attendants may gather beforehand. A bride's room, for freshening up and waiting for the ceremony to begin, but not for dressing, is also available in the new Cathedral social hall downstairs. Please note that if this is used, an additional $50 custodial fee will be charged.

II. Music:

Arrangements for all aspects of the music for the wedding liturgy must be made through consultation with the Music Director at St. Paul Cathedral Parish. To arrange a meeting with Don Fellows, call his office at 412.621.6082. He will assist you with music selections, and discuss other possible fees for cantors or instrumentalists. His comprehensive outline of musical guidelines accompanies the handout to couples.

III. Flowers:

Florists are expected to follow the procedures as outlined in the separate form entitled: Floral Guidelines for Weddings in the Cathedral.

IV. Photographers/Videographers:

Photographers and Videographers are expected to follow the procedures as outlined in the separate form entitled: Guidelines for Photographers and Videographers for Weddings.

V. Programs:

If you are preparing a program to be handed to your guests, it should be reviewed by the priest/deacon officiating at the wedding and/or the Cathedral Music Director before it is printed. The Catholic wedding liturgy must proceed in a certain order and contain certain elements, regardless of how they might be represented in one's program. (Please note: All programs must be collected after the event, both used and unused, and removed from the Cathedral.)

The Order of the Nuptial Mass
The Order of the Ceremony Outside of Mass

VI. Marriage License:

The couple is responsible for obtaining a civil marriage license from the State of Pennsylvania as required by civil law, (contact the Register of Wills Department.) The marriage license should be brought to the priest/deacon who will be witnessing the marriage at the time of the rehearsal.

VII. Parking

The Cathedral has very limited parking facilities. We encourage the use of street parking by all, and particularly by the bridal party. Extended use of the parking facilities, e.g. to attend the wedding reception cannot be allowed. Limos, trolleys, buses or other modes of transport should not block the driveway entrance of the Cathedral parking lot; this is a fire lane.

Entrance to the three garage doors in the Cathedral parking lot should never be obstructed, at any given moment, the priest may need to exit in an emergency.

VIII. Proper Disposition

It is a matter of church law that the exchange of marriage vows requires full consent of one's will. To this end, we wish to be clear that the use of alcohol (or other chemical mind-altering substances) is regarded as impairing the full and freely given consent required for a valid sacrament or legal marriage. Consequently, we will not permit alcoholic beverages in the Cathedral and environs. A bride or groom who has consumed alcohol and/or other substances prior to his/her arrival and appears impaired will necessitate the delay of the sacrament until an appropriate time. Limo drinks must be refrained from until after leaving the premises.

IX. Proper Etiquette

Due to the sacred nature of the Cathedral Church, please remember that NO food, cigarette or liquid refreshments should be brought into the Cathedral. At any given time, the faithful community may be in the Cathedral to pray, please be respectful of their needs and refrain from loud conversations, running, or other inappropriate behavior.

X. Handicap Needs

Access for those with special needs is located in the new addition of the Cathedral just off the main driveway. An elevator can bring one up to the main floor level of the Cathedral where handicap restrooms may also be found.

XI. Directions

Directions to St. Paul Cathedral can be located on the Maps & Directions page.

The actual address of the Cathedral for wedding invitations is:

      Fifth Avenue (Oakland) at Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

All mail correspondence should be directed to:

      St. Paul Cathedral, 108 North Dithridge Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

XII. Air-Conditioning

The Cathedral is pleased to announce that we are now an air-conditioned facility.    §